Catapult



United States Patent Inventor Cecil ll. Dantzler 129 W. Haig St.,Prichard, Alabama 36610 Appl. No. 756,741 Filed Sept. 3, 1968 PatentedAug. 18, 1970 CATAPULT 6 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 124/20, 124/17,124/26 Int. Cl F41t7/00 Field of Search 124/20,22, 21, 41, 16-19 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,153,4159/1915 Beaty 1,346,745 7/1920 Jones 2,750,711 6/1956 Grow 124/17XR3,282,262 1 H1966 Skinner 124/16XR Primary Examiner- Richard C. PinkhamAssistant Examiner- William R. Browne Attorney- Robert G. McMorrowABSTRACT: A catapult or slingshot has a handle with a chamber formedtherein. A propulsion member is movably disposed in the chamber andextends outwardly thereof for connection with elastic strand members,and the propulsion member has an associated spring means within thechamber to effect movement of the propulsion member in coordination withrelease of the strand from an extended position.

Patented Aug. 18, 1970 3,524,439

Sheet l of 2 INVENTOR M. H, DANTZLEI'L BY Q ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 18,1970 Sheet INVENTOR CE-cu. H. DANTZLER.

v I I M //f///////// Kw b 2 lb m 8 O z a z I ATTORNEY CATAPULTBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

1. Field of the Invention:

This invention pertains to new and novel slingshot or catapult devicesadapted to project arrows, spherical objects, and the like againsttargets or game.

2. Statement of the Prior Art:

Variations on the conventional slingshot which consists of two armshaving an elastic connected to each include proposals to incorporatesprings in the arm structure (Jones, Patent No. 1,346,745 of July 13,1920), and reciprocating pistons mounted within slingshot handles(Beaty, Patent No. 1,153,415 of September 14, 1915). These priorproposals, while probably increasing to some extent the effectiveness ofaccuracy and force of propulsion of the devices, have however eitherbeen too cumbersome or costly for general acceptance. These priordevices moreover do not center the propulsive thrust in a line ofintended sight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention provides catapult devices wherein thrust force ofresilient strands is coordinated to perform either simultaneously or inclose sequence with associated spring means. A related objective of theinvention concerns the centering of thrust forces in a linear directionwhereby the efficiency of the propulsive energy is substantiallyenhanced. The structural principles embodied in this device include theelimination of fastening means for strands as often encountered indevices of this nature which unduly encumber the apparatus and causedeviation of thrust.

It is contemplated that the apparatus hereof will be useful in thepropulsion of articles or projectiles of various types, such aselongated arrows or spherical objects, and that these may bealternatively projected from the apparatus without any substantialmodification thereof.

Another advantage introduced by the linear force principle of thisinvention is that of accuracy of aim. The present invention avoids thedeviation of course of propelled objects occasioned by non-balancedapplication of forces experienced where widely separated arms or bowsare employed thus causing an unbalanced tension on either side thereof.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of thefollowing specification when read in conjunction with the annexeddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a first form of catapult deviceconstructed and assembled in accordance with the teachings of thisinvention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged elevational view, partially broken away fordisclosure of details, of the device of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 ofFIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a modified form of the device;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the form of the invention shown in FIGURE4;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a further modified form of theinvention;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view on the line 7- 7 of FIGURE6, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing first and secondoperating positions of the components in full and phantom lines;

FIGURE 8 is another vertical cross-section; and

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view on line 9-9 of FIGURE 8, looking in thedirection of the arrows.

v DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

Reference is made initially to FIGURES I through 3 of the drawingswherein the first form of catapult device hereof is generally identifiedby reference numeral 10. The device 10 comprises a body portion 12formed of wood, plastic, or other suitable, rigid material, and having atop 14 and a bottom 16. The body portion further has a leading side 18and a trailing side 20, these sides being contoured in such manner thatthe device may be comfortably and efficiently gripped in the hand of theuser as shown in FIGURE 1. The top 14 of the body portion is forwardlyextended in the direction of the leading edge 18, forming a ledgesection 22.

Formed in the body portion 12 and opening on the top 14 thereof is anelongated, vertically extending chamber 24 of generally squarecross-sectional form. The chamber is defined by bottom 26 and forwardend rear walls 28, 30.

A propulsion member 32 is movably mounted within the chamber and is ofmetal or equivalent material. The member 32 comprises a lever having aninner section 34 and an integral, outer section 36, the major portionsof which are of generally square cross-section. The inner section 34 ismounted pivotally on a cross pin 38 extended transversely of the bodyportion, across the chamber, and the inner section has rear faces 40 and42 angularly related to one another, and forward faces 44 and 46 alsoangularly related. The face 46 is stepped at 48 to form an indented lip50. A leaf spring 52 comprising a first arm 54, bend portion 56, and anelongated second arm 58 is disposed in the chamber with the first arm 54hearing flush against the forward wall 28 thereof and the bend portion56 resting on the bottom 26. The second arm 58 engages the lip 50 of thelever forward face 46, and normally urges the lever to the positionshown in phantom lines in FIGURE 2 wherein the face 42 bears against thewall 30 and the face 44 abuts the wall 28.

The lever outer section 36 has a top portion with a strand engaging loop60 having an entry portion 62. The loop 60 comprises, as best shown inFIGURE 3, an extension of the lever, and is co-equal in width therewith.An elongated cord or band means 64 having flexible strands 66, 68connected at a forward portion 70 and at a pocket section 72 is extendedthrough the loop 60 at the portion 70. The cord is of an elasticmaterial, such as rubber, and the pocket means 72 has grasping means 76on each of its sides and an area 78 shaped to receive a missile to bepropelled, such as a ball.

In FIGURES 4 and 5, a first modified form of the invention, designated10a is shown. In this instance, the propulsion member 32a is modifiedfor use with an elongated projectile, such as an arrow 100, with acylindrical shaft 102. The outer section 36a has a half round groove 104centered on its distal extremity, and has loop elements 106, 108extended from the lateral sides thereof. The loop elements have verticalopenings therein, with side entry slots 110, 112, respectively. The cordor band means 64a comprises two separate, endless straps 114 and 116,engaged in the loops 106 and 108. A pocket assembly 72a has leadingportions 118, 120, and these are engaged with the respective strands.Side panels of the pocket assembly have openings 122, 124 for graspingthe arrow shaft 102.

In operation, these forms of the invention involve an initial graspingof a missile or arrow in the pocket sections 72 or 72a. As the cordmeans 64 is extended, the propulsion members 32 or 32a is tilted to theupright position against the pressure of the spring means to a positionwherein it reaches a limit in which the rear face 40 or 40a of the levercontacts the wall 30 or 30a of the chamber. The cord may be stretched toa limit position, one example of which would be approximately to anextent equal to three times the unextended length thereof. Upon releaseof the cord pocket, thecord means contracts and the spring means forcesthe lever sharply forward to the phantom line position of FIGURE 2,wherein it rests upon the ledge of the top side 14 of the body portion.The line of thrust is of course controlled by aiming of the device, andthe projectile is cast forwardly along this line of thrust.

FIGURES 6 through 9 show a second form of the invention, designated l0b.There, a body portion 12b is formed of wood or the like and has a top14b and bottom 16b. The body portion, for reference purposes, hasleading and trailing sides 18b, 20b of curvilinear form.

An elongated chamber 24b of circular section extends fully through thebody portion from top to bottom, being open at the top and being closedat the bottom by a plug member 200. Reciprocally mounted in the chamberis a propulsion member 32b of cylindrical form having an outer section36b and an inner section 34b, the latter having an elongated, verticalslot 202 therein with a cross pin 38b of the body portion projectingtherethrough. The propulsion member has a lower end 204 with aconnection eye 206 therein. A coil spring 52b is extended between theeye 206 and a similar eye 208 anchored on the plug 200. I

The outer end of the propulsion member has a groove 104b therein toslidably support an arrow shaft or the like. lmmediately below thegroove, a transverse opening 210 is formed in the propulsion member, andan entry slot 212 which receives cord means 64b extends into theopening. The cord means has a pocket (not shown) at a remote location.

In operation, the second form of the invention b again involves aninitial stretching of its cord means 64b, and in this case, the bodyportion 12b is tilted rearwardly during the aiming process as is shownin FIGURE 7. The extension of the cord means also withdraws thepropulsion member to the limit of its outward withdrawal wherein thecross pin 38b contacts the base of the slot 202. Upon release, thespring contracts along with the contraction of the elastic cord 64b,again resulting in a coordinated propulsive force on the missile orprojectile.

Having described and illustrated two embodiments of this invention insome detail, it will be understood that these descriptions andillustrations have been offered by way of example, and that theinvention is to be limited in scope only by the appended claims.

lclaim:

1. In a catapult device for propulsion of an object:

a handle comprising a body portion with a top and a bottom;

the body portion having a chamber formed therein opening on the topthereof;

a propulsion member mounted movably in the chamber and extendingoutwardly thereof;

spring means in the chamber urging the propulsion member to a first,non-operating position;

resilient strand means secured to the propulsion member on the exteriorof the body portion, the strand means being engageable with the objectto be propelled at a location remote from the connection of the strandmeans with the propulsion member; whereby the strand means may beextended in opposition to the spring bias which is urging the propulsionmember to said non-operating position and, upon release, the propulsionmember returns to the first non-operating position thereby aiding inpropulsion of the object from the catapult.

2. The invention of Claim 1, wherein:

the propulsion member comprises an elongated element disposed in thechamber for limited sliding movement;

the elongated element having a slot therein;

a cross pin secured to the body portion and extending across the chamberthrought the slot;

a coil spring within the chamber secured at one end to the body portionadjacent the bottom thereof and at the other end to the elongatedelement; and

the movement of the propulsion member being effected by extension of thespring to the extent of travel of the member with respect to the crosspin.

3. The invention of Claim 2, wherein:

the propulsion member includes an upper end; and the upper end has agroove formed therein to effect directional control of the object to bepropelled.

4. The invention of Claim 1, wherein:

the strand means has a pocket section for grasping the ob- I{'ect to bepropelled. 5. T e invention of Claim 1, wherein:

the propulsion member includes an inner lever and an outer lever, theinner lever being pivotally mounted within the chamber; and

the spring means including a leaf section engaged by the inner lever.

6. The invention of Claim 5, wherein:

the body portion includes a leading side having a horizontal ledge; and

the outer lever has a leading portion which abuts the ledge and whichserves as a stop means therefor.

